No ordinary opener for O'Brien, Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Bill O'Brien is allowing himself to be a little nervous before his first game as Penn State coach -- but only briefly.

The Nittany Lions kick off the 2012 campaign Saturday against Ohio. O'Brien and his players are looking forward to finally playing football again following a turbulent offseason for the program that included strict NCAA sanctions.

O'Brien replaced Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno, who was fired in November days after former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child molestation charges.

Saturday will be the first season opener at Penn State without Paterno as head coach since 1965.

O'Brien, who came over from the New England Patriots, says he will "certainly have butterflies" before the Ohio game, but that the nerves should wear off by kickoff.